Oprah Winfrey's beloved father Vernon has died at the age of 88 following a battle with cancer.
The TV star, 68, had thrown a surprise Fourth of July party for her dad to celebrate his contributions to the local community in Nashville in the days before his passing. Oprah had planned the backyard barbecue and called the event Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day.
Vernon's passing was confirmed by Oprah as she shared a video of the celebration she had thrown for her beloved dad.
In the caption, she wrote: "Vernon Winfrey 1933-2022
"Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song.
"He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak. Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside, I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath.
"We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing.
"That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts."
In the clip, Vernon is seen sitting down as he is serenaded by his gospel singer friend.
Oprah and her family were soon sent messages of condolence in the comments as one fan said: "Rest in peace, Mr. Winfrey," while another added: "sending love to you and your family".
And a third wrote: "Deepest condolences". "sending love and light", a third penned.
Oprah had organised the appreciation day as a chance for the local community in Nashville to recognise Vernon for his service as a former councilman and longtime local businessman.
The TV star said of the event: "My father is ill, so we wanted to be able to have all of his friends come and celebrate him while he's able to receive the joy. So that's what we're doing."
Oprah was born to a working class family in Mississippi, where she spent her formative years on her grandmother's farm while her teenage mother sought to find work.
Oprah left home at 14 and gave birth to a baby, who died in infancy, and made her way to Nashville to live with her dad who took a firm but fair approach.
“He had some concerns about me making the best of my life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was my best,” Oprah told the Academy of Achievement.
By 17, Oprah had won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant and secured a scholarship to study at at Tennessee State University, majoring in speech communications and performing arts.
By the mid-70s she was appearing on regional TV and in 1976 co-hosted her first talk show, called People Are Talking, and her presenting style quickly became a success.
In 1985 she hosted the first iteration of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and by 1987 had won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and the International Radio and Television Society’s 'Broadcaster of the Year' Award.
By 2003, all her successes had made Oprah the first African American woman to be listed as a billionaire.
